From "Yes, We Can" to "Yes, We Did" to "Yes, I'll Go!"

"Yes, We Can!"

Woke up this morning feeling like it was Christmas morning. I can shake off eight years of disappointment and shame and actually stand up straight for a bit. (I haven't felt this relaxed and hopeful since we crossed the Canadian border in August into Toronto. I breathed a sigh of relief then, too.) Joe got up with me pretty early, we walked around the corner and voted a straight democratic ticket. I was in and out in 30 minutes.

"Yes, We Did!"

My ballot receipt is tacked up here in my cubicle and I am so proud of it. I didn't end up voting in 2004. I felt, at the time, that Kerry was so solidly going to take Ilinois that he didn't need my vote. I worked late and left the office thinking, "I think Kerry might actually take it." The next day was a depressing, depressing shocker. I remember that I actually wanted to go home early and not think about how fucking stupid a slim majority of the country, actually was.

Voting today, though, totally supplants that old, bad memory. Joe and I joked, as we walked home, that we can change "Yes, We Can" to "Yes, We Did!" It was a good start to the day. And my ballot receipt is a nice reminder of that.



"Yes, I'll Go!"

All day today, the talk of the day has been WHO got tickets to the big Obama rally in Grant Park. And who didn't. And who is going. And who isn't going. And what it will probably be like and how crowded it will probably be. And so on and so forth.

I had decided not to bother going. I was dreading the crowd. Like "Taste of Chicago" all over again. And I was dreading the push to get on public transportation BACK into the city, after it was over. It might just be a disaster.

I called my friend, Leeann and asked her what her plans were. She was going to watch the returns from her living room. She offered me a cozy place on the couch next to her. I accepted. I thought we might order pizza and watch the news together.

So, it was with some surprise, that I got a call at 5pm, asking me if I wanted to go to the rally with Jenn. She got her ticket in the email. And has room for a +1. And her boyfriend, Abey Baby, doesn't like crowds. So, I was invited.


Entering The Park. Talking to Mom On The Phone, Giving Her Play By Play.

Instantly, there's a new plan! Race home, change clothes, grab camera, pet the pooch, wave goodbye to the roommate and now I'll race back to the theater to meet up with the group and head down to the Million Plus Person Obama Rally. If I get lucky, I'll get a spot near the stage or at least near a Jumbotron and watch the man I support accept the position of president of the United States.

I admit that I am actually really excited by the whole idea of it. Once in a lifetime, baby. Once in a lifetime!

Grabbing his coat and hat, running for the bus,
Mr.B

EDITED TO ADD PICTURES:


The VG/Greenhouse Democratic Faction.


Chris and Anne Watch The Jumbotron For Updates.


Jenn Shows Her Obama Pride!


Watching The Returns On The Jumbotron.


Someone Near Us Passed One Of The Big Flags Around For Everyone To Hold.


For a Time, I Took Up The Flag, Before Passing It Along.


Yeah, That Was A Pretty Big Moment.


Virginia Is For Obama Lovers.


VICTORY!!!